Home
The 2016 Paralympics are underway in Rio after a brilliant opening ceremony in the early hours of the morning.
Long-distance runner Greta Streimikyte, born in Lithuania but who has lived in Dublin for the last five years, set a new national record as she booked her place in Saturday’s T13 1500m final.
Meanwhile, there was less good news for the Irish Paralympic football team as they were given a firm but valuable lesson against the gold medal favourites Ukraine this evening.
An Irish fan claims to have been stopped and questioned by an FAI official at the entrance of the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade on Monday night in an effort to prevent him bringing an anti-John Delaney banner into the ground.
James McCarthy is a major doubt for Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Moldova next month after groin surgery last Friday.
GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail says ‘there is no automatic right for everybody to see every game’ as the organisation puts together a new TV rights package.
Meanwhile, despite the recent success of the Hawk-Eye system at Croke Park and Semple Stadium, he doesn’t see video referees being introduced any time soon.
In Roscommon, the senior football management saga rumbles on as it was revealed Kevin McStay will have to re-apply for the job if he wants to take charge on his own in 2017.
Munster have signed Springbok international Jaco Taute on loan as Simon Zebo faces five weeks out.
Ian Keatley starts at out-half for Munster in their game against Cardiff tomorrow night.
Charles Piutau will miss Ulster’s Pro12 clash with Treviso on Saturday while Tommy Bowe is between four and six weeks from getting back on a pitch after his knee injury.
Away
US swimmer Ryan Lochte has been suspended for 10 months without pay after his part in the scandal that rocked Rio during the Olympics.
Jason Day has said that it will take time for Tiger Woods to rediscover his form and urged caution ahead of the former world number one’s reported comeback next month.
Best Thing We Shared
Andy Murray suffered a meltdown in his US Open quarter-final match against Kei Nishikori after a bizarre ‘gong’ sound interrupted play.
Where We Were Today
Our Ryan Bailey is in Rio for the duration of the Paralympics and closely monitoring all the Irish interest. He was at the Deodoro Stadium on Thursday to see the Irish football team humbled by Ukraine.
On The Record
“Martin O’Neill used to say to me: John, today son, when the ball comes in to you, I want you to do two things.’
Put your foot on the ball for me – that would be very nice of you. Stick that big arse of yours – because it’s getting fucking bigger by the way – into the defender and if you could possibly, please, just for me today, give it to a green and white shirt and get yourself in the box – that’s all you’ve got to do. Don’t have 10 million things in your mind when the ball is coming into you – ‘Am I going to flick it? Am I going to play it first time?’ Put your fucking foot on that ball, allow us as a team to come up the pitch, hold a few off like you do – that’s why I fucking paid 6 million pounds for you, son – this is what you do’”.
John Hartson was in great form as he chatted about his former manager and the effect Brian Clough has had on his management style.
The Fixture List
Paralympics
Seven Irish athletes are in action on Day Two.
- Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal in the Individual Kilo B final at 2pm.
- Swimmer Nicole Turner in the S6 50m Fly heats at 2pm
- Jason Smyth goes in the 100m T13 final at 3.09pm.
- Colin Lynch is in the C2 Individual Pursuit qualifiers (3.42pm) and possibly the final if he’s successful (10.08pm).
- Eoghan Clifford goes off in the C3 Indiv Pursuit Quals (4.15pm) and Rena McCarron Rooney is in action in the Table Tennis SF1-2 Singles qualifiers (3.40pm & 10.35pm).
Rugby
- Munster take on Cardiff in the Guinness Pro12. That gets underway at 7.35pm.
Football
The FAI Cup takes centre stage with three games taking place on Friday night.
- Shamrock Rovers v Cork City (7.45pm)
- UCD v Dundalk (7.45pm)
- Wexford Youths v Derry City (8pm)
Tennis
- At the US Open, it’s the men’s semi-finals where Novak Djokovic takes on Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka faces Kei Nishikori.
Golf
- The BMW Championship gets underway and Rory McIlroy will tee off at about 4.30pm.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
